How to motivate teenagers to...
This week we've collected some short tips on how to motivate your teenager and support them not to be bored, exercise more and take a break from technology. While these concerns might have been more pronounced under lockdown, they are issues that are raised with us regularly by parents.
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My child says they are bored
The good news is, we don't need to always entertain our kids when they say they are bored, actually, it is best that we support young people to develop their creativity and concentration skills by letting them solve their boredom. This article by Mandie Sean, Lecturer, School of Education, Edith Cowan University has great tips:
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My child won't exercise
We all know exercise is good for our physical and mental health, but sometimes it is difficult to motivate our young people to take part. This short video from Headspace shows young people talking about the positive impact of exercise.
To play this video, view this post from your live site.
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This video have interviews with parents and young people about exercising:
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My child won't put down their phone
Reachout have hints for helping your teenager take a break from technology. We know that this has been difficult recently, but there are ways to implement these ideas, even in the current environment. This information can be found at:
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This article from an educational psychologist at Monash University, has some good ideas on supporting the wellbeing of young people with social media, particularly around speaking with teenagers: https://theconversation.com/how-parents-and-teens-can-reduce-the-impact-of-social-media-on-youth-well-being-87619
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This article includes some tips on teenager responsible mobile phone use, including how we can role model good behaviours with mobile phones: https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/entertainment-technology/digital-life/responsible-phone-use
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1. Check your child isn't just hungry or tired
2. Provide your child with new day-to-day choices
3. Don't feel obligated or responsible to stop this terrible experience (of being bored)
4. Teach your child not to be afraid of the feelings that come with boredom
5. Help them break a task down their struggling with to get started
6. Try setting a timer with your family, turning off your devices, and engaging in something meaningful together
Headspace asked Alex Parker, Exercise and Mental Health Professor, for her tips to get active: https://headspace.org.au/young-people/moving-your-way-to-a-healthy-headspace/
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1. Start small - succeeding with small goals will help with motivation
2. Keep track - monitor progress and track benefits to help see connections
3. Do what you enjoy - choose an activity your young person enjoys will help with motivation
4. Make the time (even when you're busy) - maintaining activity during busy times will help through more difficult periods
5. Set a routine - plan ahead and make physical activity a part of your routine
Ideas Reachout suggest include:
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1. Help your child find face-to-face activities that suit their interests (and show an interest in them) - we've included ideas on the student blog including cooking, gardening, science experiments that can be done at home, just to name a few. These ideas can be found here: https://sydseccollcorro.wixsite.com/sscconnectstudents
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2. Have technology-free zones - This might be during family time, locations such as their bedroom and remembering to turn the TV or streaming off when no-one is actually watching it
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3. Give good reasons - let kids know why it is important such as getting ready to go to sleep and to spend time with family
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4. Put a limit on recreational screen time - we know it is difficult to stay away from technology at the moment, but there are ways to limit this - eg. ask that while doing school work, students don't use social media, or have times when their phone is away
